People. Places. Performance — by Sandra Lochmann

Defence & Security Industry

Site and Team Build-up for the Security and Defence Industry

For automotive suppliers moving into defence, aerospace and dual-use – with the right people from day one.

DUAL USEAUTOMOTIVE · GERMANYDEFENCE · ITALYBrenner

The bridge between Automotive and Defence – people, skills and sites between Germany and Italy.

The situation

Transformation needs the right people

Many automotive suppliers are repositioning for the security and defence industry, military technology and German Armed Forces contracts. Investment is rising significantly through 2030, with a large share in Bavaria. The bottleneck is almost always the same: people – in sales, quality and certification, programmes and production.

The niche

Defence Sales & Business Development

Entering the defence market requires someone who can open it up: contacts with prime contractors and OEMs, BAAINBw and German Armed Forces procurement, and an understanding of public procurement law, trade fairs and networks. I support the build-up of these key roles – from production teams to management, with interim business development where required.

Services

From market entry to series ramp-up

Defence Sales & Business Development

Sales directors, key account managers for defence and tender managers for public procurement.

Technical Search

Engineers, quality managers (EN 9100, AQAP), programme and project managers, manufacturing specialists.

Interim Management

Transition support for market entry, ramp-up or certification projects.

90-day ramp-up package

Fill key roles, build the team and add interim management where needed, at a fixed price.

Site build-up

New plants and sites, talent analysis and workforce planning; experience from BMW plant build-ups in Brazil and Mexico, including volume recruitment.

Who it is for

Suppliers in industrial transformation

Mid-sized suppliers, component manufacturers, contract manufacturers, dual-use companies and technology providers – especially in Franconia, Upper Franconia and throughout Bavaria; also companies entering new markets through programmes such as Bayern International, Bayern Innovativ or delegation trips by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs.

What matters

Confidential, diligent and realistic

  • Industry knowledge and professional judgement
  • Confidentiality: NDA from the first conversation
  • Plan candidate security vetting early
  • Include ISO 9001, EN 9100, AQAP and information security (ISO 27001) in the search profile

Certifications and security vetting remain the responsibility of the client and the relevant accredited bodies. People · Places · Performance finds the people who build and carry these requirements; PPP is not certified to these standards and does not hold its own security clearance.

The right people for the transition

Let’s discuss key roles, timing and search geography confidentially.

Book an initial call

Book a conversation

For companies

Looking for specialists or leaders, or planning a market entry?

Contact

For candidates

Looking for a new position? Please send an open application – I will get in touch as soon as a suitable mandate comes up. I do not offer one-to-one meetings without a specific mandate.

Open application on JOIN